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Rejection and humiliation led to suicide

04.27.2017 – Old Testament: 2Sa 17.23

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 17–18 on April 27, In the year of our Lord 2017

By Don Ruhl

David’s longtime friend and adviser, Ahithophel, forsook David and joined Absalom when he sought to take over the kingdom. However, David prayed for the Lord to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, and the Lord answered David’s prayer. When Absalom rejected Ahithophel’s counsel and accepted someone else’s instead, the rejection and humiliation got to Ahithophel,

Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb (2 Samuel 17.23).

He had lived such a blessed life, having been David’s friend and having counsel that was such that David trusted his words. We think of David as being wise, but even he sought wisdom, and he would get it from Ahithophel.

Then for some inexplicable reason, he turned on David and joined a rebellion. Things went downhill from there, and he took his life.

Make sure that you remain loyal to the Lord under all the circumstances of life, for you will experience times of rejection and humiliation, but if the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of your life, you will stand through whatever life throws at you.